Page 92 of Destined Mate

“Go.” Bodey nodded. “We’ll be fine here. We’ll just need to leave for the ceremony earlier since we didn’t anticipate having to come home.”

“I’ll be here at nine.” She smiled at me before turning and heading away.

After hitting the button to close the garage, Bodey opened the door to the house. Samuel darted in, heading toward his room. As we entered the mudroom, a sense of peace washed over me. This place felt like home, and I hadn’t been at ease since I’d left it behind.

The two of us walked through the kitchen and took a right toward the stairs. I was eager to be back in the bedroom I’d slept in, the one right next door to Bodey’s. Just being this close to him had me lowering my guard.

I could hear Samuel shifting in his room as Bodey guided me to the bathroom. “I’ll get you some clothes. You can warm the water and grab a towel if you’d like.”

A shower would be amazing. I needed to wash off the blood that was crusted on me.

Bodey disappeared, and I turned on the water. By the time I placed a towel on the counter, he was back with one of his black shirts and boxers. “Sorry I can’t do better than this.”

My heart fluttered at the thought of wearing his clothes. “It’s fine.”

When he turned to leave, I winced and said, “I hate to ask, but can you help me?” I turned so he could see my dress’s zipper. “I can’t reach it.” Not with my injured arm, which was still stiff.

I heard him swallow hard.

His fingertips brushed between my shoulder blades, sending tingles down my spine. As he unzipped my dress, something warm unfurled in my stomach. His soft touch and the slow way he moved had my heart thundering.

I could feel the moment he finished. “Do you need help with your…” He paused. “Bra?” His voice rasped even lower.

Unable to stop myself, I squeezed my legs together tighter, afraid that I might attack him. “Please.”

As with the zipper, his fingers moved firmly but slowly. I hoped he felt the effects just like I did.

I clutched the material to my breasts to ensure it didn’t fall away.

“Okay, there.” He then stumbled out of the room and called, “Let me know if you need anything else.” Then he shut the door swiftly.

The loss of his presence hit me hard, but the urge to get clean overwhelmed me. I stepped into the shower and washed my hair, face, and body. I turned the water superhot, wanting to steam the memories of the horrible night away. There was no telling how many people I’d killed, and I didn’t want to learn the number. I feared it might change me.

To clear my mind, I rinsed off, got dressed, and shuffled toward my bedroom.

Samuel stepped out of his room, blocking me. He had clothes in his hands as well, but his eyes met mine.

“Are you okay?” he asked, examining me.

“After Dina healed me, I’m a lot better.” I placed a hand on his shoulder and asked, “Areyou?”

“I’m ready for tomorrow.” He ran his free hand through his hair. “I need to take my position and calm things down. Queen Kel will keep attacking me until my reign is secure.”

My chest expanded. “You’re going to be an amazing king.”

“And you’re going to be at my side,” he vowed. “You’re not going back to Zeke’s pack.”

I froze, my heart lurching into my throat. What was it with men thinking I needed to mate with them to protect me? “Ican’tbe your mate.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

I crossed my arms,ignoring the jab of discomfort in my shoulder. I was putting my foot down. No way would I mate with someone for protection—I’d find a way to be fine on my own without settling for anything less than love.

Bodey’s door opened, and footsteps pounded down the hallway toward us.

Face contorting and eyes bulging, Samuel lifted his hands and dropped his clothes. “No, no…” He shook his head vehemently as Bodey turned the corner, growling. “Justno,” Samuel insisted, his gaze flicking between Bodey and me. “That’snotwhat I meant.”

For a moment, I was distracted. Bodey stood there wearing a heather-gray shirt that clung to his damp skin. His hair was dark from being wet, and his black sweatpants didn’t leave much to the imagination. Though I shouldn’t, I kept admiring the sizable bulge outlined there.

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